Oxford vaccine still ‘on track’ despite illness scare stoppage

THE boss of the pharmaceutical firm developing the UK’S leading coronavirus vaccine candidate has insisted researchers are “on track” to submit data by the end of the year, despite the fact that the study was halted after one volunteer suffered a rare neurological condition.

The phase three trial of the vaccine being developed by Oxford University and Astrazeneca was suspended on Wednesday after it emerged that one female British participant was being treated for suspected transverse myelitis, a serious condition that affects the nervous system. The exact diagnosis is still unclear and tests are ongoing.

Pascal Soriot, chief executive of Astrazeneca, told an online briefing organised by Tortoise Media that an independent safety committee was reviewing data on the adverse event.

“Of course, it depends on the outcome of this review – but if the safety committee allows us to restart the trial we are on track to have a set of data we can submit to regulators before the end of the year,” he said.

He could not say when the trial, which is being conducted around the world, would restart but was hopeful that the vaccine would still be ready for global distribution some time in the first half of next year.

Mr Soriot insisted that safety was paramount but said speed and safety could be combined. “One thing you cannot compromise is safety and that’s why we have robust processes in place,” he said.

Astrazeneca has already begun making the vaccine and is in talks with firms around the world to ensure there is enough supply.